Staying motivated is the secret weapon to staying fit. If you don’t enjoy the journey, it’s hard to reach the destination.

Motivation takes energy, and some days you just might not feel like exerting the effort to eat right and give your body the exercise it needs. The problem isn’t in indulging or being lazy for one day, the problem is when the days multiply and soon you find you have lost all motivation to continue your journey to health and fitness.

So how do you keep the motivation you felt when you first started working out? You know—the feeling that you were ready to make some positive life changes—ready to eat right and exercise regularly. Maybe you even had a weight loss goal. Your fitness endeavor began well and changing your diet was actually exciting, but now weeks later, you find you don’t feel the same motivation to continue making those positive changes.

Sometimes, we lose motivation because we don’t see the changes we expect quickly enough. We don’t see the scale changing as rapidly as we like. We begin to see the new diet and exercise program as more of a sacrifice than it’s worth.

Remember, great things take time, so be patient with your body. Growth is a process. Let go of the world’s mindset of instant gratification. If everything we wanted came easily, we would not really value or appreciate it. You are closer than you were yesterday and that is what truly matters. Stay focused on your journey.

Keeping a fitness journal can really help you to stay motivated. Writing down everything you eat and all of your exercise will help you to see what is working and what is not. Your journal will keep you focused on your ultimate goal to live a healthy and happy life.

Daily affirmations are another way to stay motivated. Begin each day with gratitude and remember how wonderful you are. Repeat your words of empowerment and set your mind to positive thoughts and actions. You do have the power to take control, so do it.

No matter how many days you may have stayed away from your fitness goals, you can pick right up and begin again. It is never too late to get started. The time and energy you dedicate to your body, mind and soul will be an investment that will last a lifetime.